Japa drives passport demand to 2.1m in 2023

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), on Tuesday, disclosed that the service issued 2,141,300 passports in 2023, as more Nigerians sought ways to leave the country in a new wave of migration known in the country as ‘Japa’.

Caroline Wura-Ola Adepoju, the NIS controller-general, revealed this during a diaspora virtual lecture series, themed “New passport policy/processes for Nigerians in the diaspora confirmation,” organised by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM).

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The CGI revealed that the Japa syndrome has resulted in an unprecedented surge in passport applications.

She noted that in 2021, 1.3 million passports were issued, followed by a 50 percent increase in 2022 with 1.5 million passports issued. However, in 2023, there was a remarkable 100 percent increase, with 2,141,300 passports issued.

She emphasised the implementation of passport process automation to minimise direct interaction with immigration officers, highlighting its significant impact on passport applicants.

The CGI reported that since the automation went live last month, more than 100,000 applications had been submitted online, with over 80 percent processed seamlessly.

She emphasised that the reformation of the passport process would alleviate strain on the overstretched facilities of NIS nationwide, where applicants, including children and vulnerable individuals, often endure long waits for capture.

Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the minister of interior, pledged to alleviate the burden of acquiring passports for Nigerians in the diaspora.

He noted that the e-passport processing has enhanced service delivery to Nigerians domestically and abroad, by the immigration service.

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Abike Dabiri-Erewa, chairman/CEO of NIDCOM, praised the minister and the CGI for making passport application a lot easier for applicants. She said the lecture was aimed at educating Nigerians in the diaspora about passport automation.